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oven design with driver and mechanic in mind
Page 39
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BY CONTRAST, the Mercedes Benz 207D, which we tested on March 3, was a delight to service. A short bonnet on the Mere lifts for day-to-day checks, while more complex jobs are facilitated by means of a quickly detachable lower front grille, bumper and radiator. Indeed, the Mercedes was designed from the outset to be a mechanic's friend.
Like the Toyota, we took the Mercedes around our West London test circuit. With a gross weight of 2,600kg (2 tons 11 cwt) it too is a contender in the one-ton-payload category. However, its 0M616, 2.4-litre (146cuin) diesel power unit, which has been well proven in both the Dusseldorf range of light vans and the MercedesBenz car, made it a much more economical proposition.
It returned, fully laden, 8.381it/ 100km (33.7mpg) — one of the best figures for this route and weight range. Unladen average speed was much the same at 43krn /h (27mph) but consumption was better at 8 lit iI0Okrn (35.3mpg).
From the loading angle, a high roof line but low platform height combine to provide a very useful and usable 7.34curn (262 cuft) of load space. To minimise the effect of the wheel-arch intrusion, the tops of them have been made flat so that the full area can be used when carrying a load made up of small parts. At the rear, the doors extend to almost the full height of the compartment — another plus point. It looks as if Mercedes has paid particular attention to the driver environment. Cab doors, which are mounted behind the front wheels, open wide to provide roomy access to the driving seat, which is adjustable for fore and aft as well as for height and back-rest rake.
This allows it to be set so that all driving controls fall easily to hand. The seats are spaced apart so that the driver can walk through to the load compartment. In use, we found the Mere to be quiet, with little noise from either the engine or body.
A glo-plug-type device made cold early morning starting a pleasure. Once on the road, performance was more than adequate and the van kept up easily with other road users. Braking distances at the MIRA circuit were short — less than 100ft from 64km / h (40mph) — and it was here that a maximum speed of 123km / h (77mph) was recorded.
A good lock made low-speed manoeuvrabihty more than adequate for the local deliverytype work for which the van was designed. Ride and handling, too, were good and suffered little from bouncing, pitching or roll.
So how much does this wellequipped and stylish van cost? Well, the price when we tested it was the bad news, as it was quite a lot dearer at £3,980 than most of the competition. No doubt those who enjoy the Mercedes-Benz image will be able to justify the extra money.